Brazil publishes national artificial intelligence strategy

The Brazilian government has published the country's artificial intelligence (AI) strategy to guide actions around research, innovation and the development of related technologies to tackle the country's greatest challenges, as well as ethics. The publication of the strategy follows a process of over a year since the launch of the consultation to gather input for the plan in late 2019, after a period of engagement with AI consulting firms and an international benchmarking process. According to the Brazilian government, the consultation lasted until March 2020 and more than 1,000 contributions were received. According to the Brazilian minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Marcos Pontes, the publication is "the fulfillment of a dream" and a big step for Brazil, since the government considers AI is as "essential" for the development of many other technologies, such as innovations around the Internet of Things approach. Pontes also noted the Brazilian government is also making progress around the national AI research center network.